Rodriguez jabs at Selig; MLB responds

Alex Rodriguez and Major League Baseball exchanged words on the day after the World Series ended.

Rodriguez criticized commissioner Bud Selig for his comments about baseball's investigation that resulted in a 211-game suspension that the New York Yankees third baseman is fighting to overturn.

Not only did Rodriguez file a grievance with the players' union, he said baseball was on a witch hunt to get him.

"I am deeply troubled by my team's investigative findings with respect to MLB's conduct," Rodriguez said in a statement. "How can the gross, ongoing misconduct of the MLB investigations division not be relevant to my suspension, when my suspension supposedly results directly from that division's work?

"It is sad that Commissioner Selig once again is turning a blind eye, knowing that crimes are being committed under his regime. I have 100 percent faith in my legal team.

"To be sure, this fight is necessary to protect me, but it also serves the interests of the next 18-year-old coming into the league, to be sure he doesn't step into the house of horrors that I am being forced to walk through."

Rodriguez was suspended on Aug. 5 for violating baseball's drug agreement because of his ties to the now-shuttered anti-aging clinic in south Florida that allegedly supplied performance-enhancing substances to players. He appealed the ruling and resumed playing with the Yankees. The next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18.

"This latest, sad chapter in Mr. Rodriguez's tarnished career is yet another example of this player trying to avoid taking responsibility for his poor choices," Manfred said. "Given the disappointing acts that Mr. Rodriguez has repeatedly made throughout his career, his expressed concern for young people rings very hollow.

"Mr. Rodriguez's use of PEDs was longer and more pervasive than any other player, and when this process is complete, the facts will prove that it is Mr. Rodriguez and his representatives who have engaged in ongoing, gross misconduct."